Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-05-20
4 RACE FOR 4 PRIZE.
BY FRANK J. MARTIN.

BY FRANK J. MARTIN.
On bright autumnal afternoon in. 1870,
a stranger appeared in Ration. He came
from tho North and registered at the
Riverside" as Alex. Beaver. His rough
clothing and gunny-sach told plainly that
he had adopted that mode of travel which
affords the tourist ample time and facilities
for the study of track building.
A stranger does not attract a great deal
of attention in southwestern town, aud
especially 60 in Ration. There was, how
aver, something peculiar in the ways and
manners of Alex, and he soon became q
fasoritc. He exhibited an inclination to
@settie down, Z" and entered the employ of
John Biggs.
John Biggs was a Northerner, and showed
at all times a decided preference for men
who came from his native State. When he
discovered that Alex. was not only native
of his State, but citizen of the very
town in which he was born and raised,
Briggs insisted that Alex. should not only
tell him all the news about the people
evenings talking over old scenes. Alex
,assented. and it was in this way that he met
Rosie, the charming daughter of his en-
.pioyer. Rosie was typical Southern lass.
nineteen. plump. jolly. and Of generous
disposition. She was highly educated and
was an accomplished musician, yet her
greatest share Of pleasure was. obtained
Through the medium of bold and daring
riding. No section Of the country presents
a better field for the enjoyment of this
sport than the districts in and around
Ratcn. Hence the example set by Rosie
was carefully followed by the fair sex.
The young man who could not successfully
manage broncho was looked upon as an
eNiie from all that was exhilerating and
proper.
Although the distinction and loss of en-
foyment were keenly felt, there we're sew
,eral young men in Ration who would not
venture on the hurricane deck of broncho
for all the ladies in New Mexico.
Amongst this class was Alex. He made
rapid strides in the commercial world. was
high i'll the estimation of the best society,
yet he abhorred, or pretended to, the idea
of horse-nding as sport.
He began to wait on the pleasures of
Rosie, and soon became her ardent lover.
When it came to So little excursion across
the plains he turned up as one of the
missing and always had an excuse for not
being present. Soon he began to learn
that he had rival in the person of young
merchant who was noted as being the only
s.nan who could outride Rosie, and he often
found it difficult task 10 perform. His
embarrassing position did not drown his
hopes, neither did it prevent him from
rneditating on the feasibility of becoming
q horseman. He soon began to look for
ward to the day on which he would be able
to mount a horse and sail across the plains
and tableland alongside of Rosie. Then
Mr. Biggs had in numerous way encouraged
Y,is attentions to Rosie, and this neryed
him on.
He made up his mind to propose at once
and meet his fate. With this end in view,
he called one evening, and was confronted
Lin the parlor by Mr.. Pitts, his rival. The
conversation was forced from one subject
TO another without the slightest bit of
satisfaction to either Pitts or Alex. At
last it drifted around to Pinto, a neighbour
ing town some thirteen miles distant.
Rosie, who had been doing all the talk
ing expressed determination to visit
Pinto the following day, and concluded by
saying in half doubtful, entreating way,
that she wished some one would call over
FOR her in the afternoon SO that she would
have an escort home.
Before Pitts could move a muscle. Alex.
offered his services.
Gut, Mr.. Beaver does not ride" en-
joined Pitts.
@Beg pardon" replied Alex. che does,
although not often"
Gut an going over on business, per-
sisted Pitts, "and can relieve YOU of the
journey
"Thanks, I am delighted at your kind
fora hide is insi what want, replied Alex,
Gather surcasticnlly.
Rosie was delighted at the turn affairs
had taken, while Pitts was baffled. Pitts
resolved 10 go. so he continued his plea,
SAYING: u will he going over about four,
and if you don't mind L will take a little
run with YOU"
This was looked upon in the light of
challenge by Alex, and he readily as
scented to it. BY way of an inducement it
was also agreed that the one to arrive first
at given point in Pinto was the one to
ae.urn home with Rosie. The arrange
uteuts made, MIR. Pitts departed, full of
.uiiqh; expectations. while Alex. hurried